Welcome back to our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide – Part 6. This week we’re talking about fly rods. The quintessential part of fly-fishing! Below you will find our recommendations for Beginner, Mid and Top tiers. Whatever your budget may be. The rods suggested below are also the best bang for the freshwater fishing, meaning that you should be able to do most of your freshwater dry, nymph and streamer, with any of these rods. Only upgrading or adding to the collection should you need salt water, reds fishing, steelhead, etc. The rods below are suggested in weights of 5wt. or 6wt. and most 9 foot lengths!
Beginner-Tier *Most Cost Effective*
- ORVIS CLEARWATER FLY ROD OUTFIT $376.00 – The new Clearwater® Rod Series is not just a cosmetic facelift, but a complete overhaul from the ground up by our Vermont rod designers. Everything has changed except the value. It’s still the best fly rod you can buy for the money, but with a significant upgrade in performance and looks in a comprehensive series that covers every angler from small stream addicts to Skagit slinging two-handers. Each rod was designed with a purpose-built profile and action to handle the kind of fishing the rod model would be traditionally used for, from medium-action small stream rods to medium-fast freshwater rods and fast-action big game rods. KEY FEATURES:
- Blanks are black chrome with white accents
- Quick rod identifier on the blank
- Comes with gray rod tube
- 25-Year Guarantee
- Freshwater Components On Rods Up To 6 Weight
- Fighting Butt On Rods 6 Weight and Above
- Rod Outfit Includes:
- Clearwater Fly Rod
- Clearwater Series Reel
- Clearwater Series Fly Line
- Rod Tube
Mid-Tier Rod and Reel
- G.LOOMIS IMX-PRO FLY ROD $525.00 – Built to the unrelenting specifications of professional fishing guides, the IMX-PRO series is comprised of 6 purpose-driven designs to meet the performance demands of modern freshwater fishing. Striking the ultimate balance of handsome appointments, positive feel, and unflinching durability, IMX-PRO is a game-changing addition to the serious angler’s quiver. KEY FEATURES:
- Chrome single-foot guides
- Chrome stripper guides
- Hook keeper (line #: 4-6)
- Micro full wells premium grade cork grip (line #: 4-6)
- Full wells premium grade cork grip (line #: 7)
- Custom aluminum reel seat with wood insert (models: 490-4 & 590-4)
- Custom aluminum reel seat with fighting butt (models: 5100-4 and up)
- Tube and cloth rod bag
- Handcrafted in Woodland, Washington
- ROSS REELS EVOLUTION R FLY REEL $545.00 – A perfect addition to the G.Loomis IMX PRO Rod. Known as one of the lightest reels on the market, Ross Reels Evolution R fly fishing reel has an ultra-large arbor spool that reduces line memory and increases line pick up to quickly get your fly line off the ground and back on the reel when fighting fish. The drag system for the Evolution is an industry first, fully sealed like most reels, but with fluoropolymer and stainless steel washers for light weight and smooth power. Fish with confidence when you’ve got a Ross Reels Evolution R fly fishing reel controlling your catch Machined aluminum design Easy left-to-right conversion Freshwater and saltwater compatible Sealed, self-lubricating drag system Lifetime warranty.
Top-Tier Rod and Reel
- WINSTON AIR 2 FLY ROD $1,095 – The next generation of all-around freshwater fly rods (3wt-6wt). These rods can do anything – present tiny dry flies to wary trout on flat water, cast a heavy streamer to the far bank in the wind, launch the entire line when you need it, and make quick, accurate close-range shots. From high stick nymphing, pounding the banks from the boat, or wet wading, the new AIR 2 is a pack rod, a travel rod, a beautiful rod, and an all-around rod. It’s the new Winston. When you can only bring one rod…the amazing new Boron AIR 2. You won’t want to leave home without it. A New taper design that provides a faster, progressive all-around action. Extremely light, yet powerful. Introducing S-2000 a next generation high modulus graphite material for faster recovery speed and smoothness. New Boron Configuration for enhanced power and energy transfer. KEY FEATURES:
- Fast Action S-2000 Boron Graphite
- Light wire Hard Chrome ECO Slick Coating Shooting Guides
- Uplocking Nickel Silver with Burled Wood insert
- ABEL SUPER 5/6 REEL $985.00 – Built to take on trout, carp, bass, and bonefish, the Abel Super 5/6N can handle any situation when fly fishing in fresh and saltwater. The large arbor on this all-purpose reel picks up slack line in a hurry. A super smooth cork drag slows down any fish that’s into the backing. One of the lightest reels on the market, the Super 5/6N from Abel just feels great on a 5 or 6-weight rod. Ported, aerospace aluminum for light, yet durable reel cage Left or right-hand retrieve Abel reel seat for secure attachment Super smooth cork drag.
